And they're off!

The deadline for candidates to file their nomination papers for the October 27 Sault Ste. Marie municipal election came and went as of 2 p.m. Friday.

A total of six candidates are running for mayor.

Incumbent Sault Mayor Debbie Amaroso, running for a second term, is being challenged by Heather Cook, Robin Coull, Ted Johnston, Christian Provenzano and Austin Williams.

City Clerk Malcolm White informed SooToday.com that the six mayoral candidates represent the highest number of candidates running for the city’s top elected post in recent years.

For city council seats, Ward 1 incumbents Steve Butland and Paul Christian are being challenged by Derek Crowell, Andy Martens, Christopher Newman and Rick Turco.

Ward 2 sees incumbents Susan Myers and Terry Sheehan challenged by John Duke and Michael Selvers.

Two new faces will be elected to council to represent Ward 3, as incumbents Pat Mick and Brian Watkins each announced they would not be seeking re-election.

Judy Hupponen, Luke Macmichael, David Poluck, Matthew Shoemaker and Tim Thibeault will compete for the two Ward 3 seats.

Ward 4 incumbents Rick Niro and Lou Turco are running for re-election, faced by challengers Luke Dufour and Lorena Tridico.

Ward 5 incumbents Marchy Bruni and Frank Fata are joined by challenger David Celetti in that ward’s race.

Veteran Ward 6 city councillor Frank Manzo has not filed for re-election, signalling the end of an era in Sault Ste. Marie politics.

His ward mate, Joe Krmpotich, is joined by challengers Bryan Dumanski, Ozzie Grandinetti, Wanda McQueen and Ross Romano.

At the school board level, Jennifer Sarlo, Graham Lidstone, Karen Morin, Dennis Murphy, Randy Schuran, Susan Thayer, Sandra Edwards, Ian MacKenzie and Anthony Zappacosta have filed their nomination papers to run for trustee seats for the Algoma District School Board (ADSB).

The candidates for Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board (HSCDSB) trustee seats are Laurie Ann Aceti, Thomas Brandstetter, John Caputo, Leslie Cassidy-Amadio, Tony D'Agostino, Peter Katagis, Bill Murphy, Tyler Pistor, Gary Trembinski, Grace Tridico and Sandra Turco.

Louise Primeau and Danny Galarneau have filed for the Conseil Scolaire De District Du Grand Nord De L'Ontario, while Suzanne Salituri has filed for the Conseil Scolaire De District Catholique Du Nouvel-Ontario.

SooToday and LOCAL2 will be providing comprehensive coverage of the municipal election.